title: Evaluation of a fractional laser with optical compression pins.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Non-ablative fractional lasers have been used in skin rejuvenation procedures with some success. In general, the optimum area coverage and depths of the fractional thermal injury zones depend on the specific indications of interest. For all fractional devices, depth is adjusted with energy that also determines the coagulation area at the dermal/epidermal junction. Micro-beams (µB) of a 1,540 nm laser are co-aligned with optical pins in a device designed to provide skin compression during treatment to remodel the deeper reticular dermis and hypodermis while minimizing epidermal damage. The device is characterized in ex vivo and clinical studies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ex vivo porcine skin was treated with a compression-pins optic connected to an Er:Glass laser hand piece. Nitroblue tetrazolium chloride (NBTC) cell viability staining of horizontal radial and vertical sections of post-treatment skin was used to assess coagulation profiles. A pilot clinical study was also performed to evaluate the effects of compression on epidermal injury.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The compression-pins optic provided deeper coagulation to 1.5 mm depths and less epidermal injury than without compression. Coagulation depth was increased further with stacked pulses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ability to de-couple depth of treatment from area coverage provides greater flexibility of treatments. The results promise greater possibilities to vary dermal injury patters which may offer increased benefit in treating a variety of cutaneous conditions.
authors.affiliation: Zel Skin and Laser Specialists, Edina, Minnesota, USA.
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zelickson
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Walgrave
authors.forename: Munir
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al-Arashi
authors.forename: Ilya
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Yaroslavsky
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Altshuler
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Childs
authors.forename: Mikhail
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Smirnov
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tabatadze
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007834:Lasers; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011312:Pressure; D012060:Rejuvenation; D012867:Skin / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013552:Swine